NEWARK — A Montville man has been charged with collecting more than $182,000 in insurance payouts for vandalism and other damage to Newark rental properties that never actually occurred.

Kuruvilla John, 54, who also goes by John Kuruvilla allegedly submitted invoices to two different insurance companies claiming the home’s boilers, hot water heaters, pipes and other items had been damaged after a break-in, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a statement.

The first claim came in November 2011, when he claimed he had been forced to replace three hot water heaters, baseboards and supply lines at a home on North 7th Street, Murray said. He eventually collected $37,775 meant to pay for the work.

Over the next 13 months, he submitted another three claims totaling $144,050 for damage he said occurred at homes he owned on Summer Avenue in Newark, authorities said. The largest came in September 2012, when he claimed burglars had stolen boilers and baseboards from the multi-family dwelling.

In each case, the invoices he submitted to the insurance companies were determined to be forged, according to Murray.

Walter J. Dirkin, Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Murray’s office, said authorities would continue to pursue suspects who attempt to dupe insurance companies in search of a payday.

“Insurance fraud is the crime we all pay for,” he said.

John, who was arrested Wednesday night, is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail.